This preserve contains the largest intact cedar glade complex of this type remaining in Alabama.
The Conservancy constructed a fence to prevent dumping and vehicles (ATVs) from making deep ruts in the glades and destroying fragile plants. We need funding to establish more visitor-friendly nature trails, and to continue our restoration efforts, which include prescribed burning.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Rare plants, hiking.
191 acres
Directions
From Birmingham:
From Huntsville:
In the springtime this glade comes alive with the colors of wildflowers! Our preserve contains the largest intact cedar glade complex known in Alabama, and visitors can see as many as twelve rare plants. This glade of flowers offers the nature lover an inspirational view.
This preserve is open to the public during daylight hours. Visitors can park at the entrance gate and follow the old roadbed behind the sign into the glade complex. Visitors should be careful to stay on the paths and we ask that you be mindful of fragile plants. Planned events allow visitors to participate in stewardship and educational activities throughout the year. For further information, call 205-251-1155 or email ktassin@tnc.org
The preserve is home to at least 12 rare plants. The glade is made of flat limestone outcroppings and shallow soils that are interspersed with islands of cedar trees and other hardwoods. The vegetation islands harbor rare species like the federal candidate Harper's umbrella plant, Alabama larkspur, and prairie Indian plantain. Open rocky areas are covered with beautiful yellow and white Alabama glade cress. Other glade flowering plants are the purple topped Nashville breadroot, and Tennessee milk vetch. During the springtime, watery seeps sustain glade quillwort and yellow sunnybells. Lyrate bladderpod, a small annual mustard, grows in the slightly deeper soils on the edges of the glades. This plant only grows in Alabama and it is federally listed as threatened.
Since its inception in 1992, Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust Program (Forever Wild) has been the only state fund in Alabama dedicated to land conservation.
Learn about Alabama's top ten worst invasive, non-native plant species and what you can do to stop their spread.
